Trout Fishing at Laguna Niguel Lake

[DementedFish]

Trout Fishing at Laguna Niguel Lake By Sean Lara

Almost every weekend I go fishing at Laguna Niguel Lake. I always get excited to go, and tell my friends how much I’m looking forward to it. After I tell them that I’m going, they always ask: “There is a Laguna Niguel Lake??”

My response to them every time is “Duh, it’s one of the best lakes in Southern California to fish at! I go there all of the time!!”

Laguna Niguel Lake really is one of the best lakes to fish at in Southern California. The fishing is usually never slow, and makes it fun and exciting for people who love fishing. The lake is great for beginners to start learning, because it is relatively small compared to most Southern California Lakes. In my opinion, anyone can catch a fish here, even for those beginners!

In this article, you will be taught how to catch trout efficiently. It is important to know what you are doing, or otherwise you might as well stay home. It is important to select the right type of tackle, bait, rod, reel, and location. After reading this, you will have enough knowledge so you can go home with fish on your stringer!

Where to Fish
The lake is most famous for its hard fighting, high leapin’, Utah raised rainbow trout. However it also contains, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, redear sunfish, and carp.

When fishing for trout it is very important to know where to fish. There are many “hot spots” in the lake to look for. Below, there are listed places where you should go from shore, and from the water.

From Shore: The most popular place to fish, is anywhere on the right side of the concession stand. On that side, there is a "dead tree" overhanging above the water. Fish around this area, and your chances at catching a fish will greatly improve. Many people fish around here (including myself), and will usually always catch fish.

Another good place is the shore directly across the concession stand. Very few people fish here, because it is hard to get there. The only way to get there is to walk all the way around the lake. However, to make your walk shorter, you can park near the park entrance, walk on the sidewalk outside of the park, and walk down the hill to that shore. I really recommend trying to go to this spot, especially if the fishing is slow. This spot should not be overlooked.

Later in the trout season (usually around April), the trout fishing is also good at the creek inlet. The creek inlet is at the very end of the lake, where it starts turning into a mini creek.

When on shore, make sure to cast out strait, and as far as possible. Sometimes the fish will be boiling out on the water. Cast around where they are coming up to the surface. Also, if there are other fisherman around you catching fish, try to find out where they are casting, and do the same.

On the Water: There are many great places to fish at on the water. Fishing can either take place from a rental boat, or a float tube.

One popular place, which you should definitely try first, is the boat dock. Many trout hang out here, because this is where they are stocked. Cast about 20 ft out from the dock, or anywhere around there. Make sure you don’t “park” your boat or float tube 20 ft out, because this is the prime spot where anglers cast, and you don’t want to make them mad. In the first couple of months in the season, this is the best place to fish. After a stocking, this spot will usally produce the best.

Another popular place is around the aerators, which are bubbles on the lake. Many trout are present here, because they provide them with air. Even when they aren’t on, they still provide good fishing.

All around the big island, is a very popular spot. Many trout hang out here. They love the structure of all the underwater reeds and logs. Any side of the island is a great spot.

Probably the most popular spot in the whole lake is the flats, which is located on the right side of the big island. This is the target area for fly-fisherman, and trout can be caught anywhere over here.

How to Catch the Trout

Now you know where to fish for the trout, but now you have to learn how to catch them.

Bait and Tackle for Baitfisherman

Bait: At this lake, dough baits like Powerbait or Nitro Dough in chartreuse, rainbow, corn yellow, and orange work very well. Different colors work on different days, so make sure to carry more than one color. From my experience, I’ve found out that rolling the bait into a worm produces more fish for me. I usually dip my bait in Powerbait or Crave trout attractant. Garlic scent also works well.
Nightcrawlers filled up with air work very well too. For some reason, nightcrawlers seem to catch bigger fish. Dip these in scent too!
Salmon eggs also work. Put an egg on a small single hook, and dip these in garlic scent. Use a long leader.

Rigs: The most popular rig used here is a sliding sinker rig. To tie this, put on a sliding egg sinker around 1/8 oz. (heavier weights can be used to cast longer distances). Then tie on either a size 14,16, or 18 treble hook. (use a single hook for eggs and nightcrawlers, treble hook for dough baits. Use size 6 or 8 mosquito single hooks for nightcrawlers.). About a foot or more above the hook (depending on the conditions), stop the egg sinker using a very small spitshot weight, or use a small barrel swivel.

Line: 2-4 lb test is highly recommended. Do not go any higher than 4 lb test. *Tip: Use a flurocarbon leader, or special leader material to make the line less visable.

Rod and Reel: Use a small reel that has a line rating of around 1-8 pound test. Use a rod around 5-6 ft long. Make sure your rod/reel combo correspond to each other. For example, if you buy a reel rated for 2-6 pound test, make sure you have a rod for it that has a line rating of around 2-6 pound test also.

Fishing Bait

When you are on shore, cast out as far as possible. Let your line sink to the bottom, and then keep your line tight. If your line is not tight, your chances of catching a trout decrease, because they have a better chance of seeing the line. Use a strike indicator like a bobber when on shore.
When you’re on the water, do the same exact thing, but it is not as important to cast far. Just make sure you cast in a good place not too close to your boat or float tube.

Artificials

Jigs

Popular jig colors are chartruese, yellow, white, and any other bright colors. Mini jigs seem to work best.

Fishing Jigs

With mini jigs, you want to cast and retrieve these, but you need to vary your retrieve. Try bouncing these off the bottom, slowly jerking them, and anything else you can think.

Trout Worms

Drop Shotting, split shotting, and Carolina Rigging work best. You can also fish these like jigs.

Lures

Good lures are Thomas Booyant, Panther Martins, Kast Masters, and rooster tails. Colors can range, but gold seems to catch a lot of fish.

Fishing Lures

With lures, you can either troll them, or you can cast and retrieve them. When you are using the cast and retrieve method, first cast out, let your lure sink to the bottom, and then retrieve it. Repeat.

Equipment and Tips for Fly-Fisherman

Size 16 midges in olive & gold and black & silver seem to work best. The “magic” depth for fishing these is 9 ½ feet, but trout are deeper some days, and nearer to the top on others. Attach tippet to your fly-line (4x or 5x), and attach a strike indicator to it. If you’re not getting any bites, try sliding the indicator either up or down the line. The technique used here is stillwater nymphing. Slowly drifting your line also works.

General Info

Laguna Niguel Lake is a beautiful 44 acre lake, which is located in Orange County’s regional park. For the stocking schedule, directions, lake fees, and more fishing tips, please visit the Laguna Niguel Lake site: www.lagunaniguellake.com .
All of your fishing supplies can be found at the lake concession stand, and be sure to ask Bobbie (Lake Manager) for fishing tips and hotspots!

[DementedFish]

Boat Dock




Here is the side of the concession stand.



Here is a pic of the flats and the side of the big island



Here is a 5 pounder I caught from shore on the right side of the concession stand back when I was 14.

[Wahoo!]

Thanks DementedFish! You have some really good information there!

[CaptLurch]

Very nice DementedFish.

[DementedFish]

Thanks

[Fishinhopeful]

HEY man seems like ur a pro!!! Im heading out there next week when do they usually plant the fish??

[DementedFish]

wow this is an old article. Here is the stocking schedual: http://lagunaniguellake.com/special_events.htm

Let me know when you are going to fish it next fishinhopeful, i'll try to make it.

[DementedFish]

I look really young in that picture lol.l

[Eric]

Demented good job.. thanks for all the info. thinking of hitting up lnl this friday morning... will be fishing from shore this time...
Eric

[Fishinhopeful]

IS THE FISHING PRESSURE ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS HEAVY AFTER A PLANT??????

[DementedFish]

It depends. It will never be as busy as the saturday after a stocking. It will be busy, but not like a saturday. If you're talking about boat traffic no, but shore traffic yes.

[Fishinhopeful]

IS IT AS BAD AS SARL OR THE VINE????

[DementedFish]

ive never been to sarl or the vine on the weekdays. Sorry

[Fishinhopeful]

ITS ALL GOOD!!!! SO WHATS THE BEST BAIT FOOR THE HOOKJAWS or bigger fish???????? SORRY GUYS I HATE TO ANNOY WITH THESE QUESTIONS BUT IT IS a total blowTO GO THERE AND GET SKUNKED!!!!!!!!!!!

[cst]

i know we all must sound like we are part of lip ripperz but you should use them for bigger trout